Three years back, when Katniss Grey walked into Synergy Global Corporation for an interview, she never thought the president would be her husband of three years, Tristan Forbes, a guy she'd only met once.
What blew her mind even more was that Tristan didn't recognize her. Six years ago, she was just a broke, insecure girl fresh outta school. Fast forward three years of busting her butt in the industry, she'd become a top-notch assistant everyone knew about.
Even her mom, Sophia Stuart, thought she'd done a complete 180, so it's no wonder Tristan, her husband she'd only met once, didn't have a clue.
As his assistant, she was practically glued to him 24/7, only splitting when he headed home.
Then, two years ago, Tristan got hammered and they hooked up, turning her from an assistant to a lover.
Sophia's illness didn't give her much choice but to roll with it. But she never thought this fling would turn into some unspoken agreement.
Tristan was a solid boss and a decent lover, never treating her like crap.
In the president's lounge at Synergy Global Corporation.
Tristan was all over Katniss, sucking on her pink nipples, thrusting like there was no tomorrow. Katniss moaned, her legs wrapped around him, wanting him to go deeper.
Caught up in the moment, Katniss was too wiped to move, letting Tristan have his way. After a bit, with a muffled groan and some rapid thrusts, he came inside her, making her shiver too. He held her tight, panting. Once he caught his breath, Katniss forced herself off the bed, her legs shaking as they hit the floor. She gritted her teeth, grabbed her clothes from the floor, and silently put them on.
Then, she turned back with a professional smile and said, "Mr. Forbes, I'll be heading out now."
As she pinned up her long hair, she went from sultry to kinda prim and proper in a flash.
But the spark in her eyes was still there, and her ears were still red.
Tristan squinted, checking out her delicate face.
Her cool and polite vibe made it seem like she wasn't the one who'd just been moaning on the bed. Of course, their thing only happened in this lounge. Outside, she was just his assistant.
It was her knack for knowing her place that kept her by his side for so long.
"Bella Astor is back."
Katniss had just grabbed the lounge door handle when she heard Tristan's clear voice.
Her back stiffened, her breath hitched. His first love, Bella, whom he'd waited six years for, was finally back. She was just a bed buddy.
She took a deep breath, quickly got her head straight, and turned around with a calm smile.
"Got it, I won't step into this door again."
"What's that got to do with you?" He chuckled, got out of bed naked, and picked up his underwear from the floor.
Then he put on his pants and handed her his shirt. She took it and helped him put it on.
Buttoning it up one by one, like a couple who'd been together forever.
Tristan's voice came from above. He said, "Draft a divorce agreement."
Katniss paused, looking up at him, confused.
"Wasting that girl's six years, it's time to end it." He picked up the tie, handed it to her while she was in a daze, and asked, "What do you think?"
Katniss silently took the tie, not saying a word.
Honestly, whether as his assistant or his wife, she couldn't hold a candle to his first love, Bella. She had to step aside for Bella's return.
She smiled bitterly, a smile Tristan couldn't read. He frowned and asked, "What's so funny?"
"Mr. Forbes, I'm happy for you. The girl you like is finally back," She straightened his tie and smoothed his collar.
Then she stepped back and said, "I'll go draft the divorce agreement now."
Tristan frowned at her, her coolness making him doubt his own charm, leaving him annoyed. He said, "Katniss, you're really competent."
Katniss didn't dwell on his words, just shot back, "Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Forbes."
As she turned to leave, Tristan piped up again, "Give her two million bucks."
"Two million?"
Katniss looked at him, puzzled, then it clicked who he meant by 'her.'
"Didn't your agreement say you'd cover her mom's medical bills for three years, and she'd walk away with nothing after the divorce?" Katniss reminded him.
Six years ago, Tristan and Bella were the golden couple of Velvet City, perfect in every way. But when they were about to tie the knot, Bella bailed. To save face, Adelaide York quickly found a replacement for Tristan, and that was Katniss, fresh outta college with nowhere to go because her mom, Sophia, had cancer.
Tristan only agreed to cover Sophia's medical bills for three years. So three years ago, to keep her mom's treatment going, she quit a small gig and joined Synergy Global Corporation. She worked her butt off, and Tristan noticed, quickly making her a full-time employee.
But her paycheck was nowhere near enough to cover Sophia's medical bills.
Tristan, who had zero feelings for his wife he'd only met once, generously offered two million bucks, making him seem like a decent husband.
"Yeah, tying her down for six years, and she wasn't doing great back then."
Tristan came out of the lounge and sat at his desk, thinking of the shy girl he'd only seen once at city hall six years ago.
Worried she might try to milk him, he only agreed to cover three years of medical bills. Surprisingly, she never showed up again or asked for more.
Just like Katniss, very tactful.
Katniss quickly drafted the divorce agreement and sent the e-version to Tristan for review. After he gave the green light, she printed it out.
After work, Tristan dragged Katniss to the airport to pick up Bella.
In the airport crowd, Tristan and Katniss were definitely head-turners.
But right now, Tristan's lips were pressed into a thin line, his deep eyes glued to the exit, looking a bit impatient.
Standing nearly 5'7" beside him, Katniss looked petite and delicate, her long hair down and makeup on point. She probably knew she'd be coming to the airport, so she dressed up a bit.
She didn't know what she was feeling, but when they got in the car, Tristan's eyes showed a hint of surprise, casually saying, "You look way better than at work."
That moment lifted her spirits.
Suddenly, a bunch of people poured out of the exit. She scanned every young woman.
A woman in a floral dress, with long wavy hair dyed light purple and wearing sunglasses, walked out pushing a suitcase.
Even though the sunglasses hid her eyes, Katniss's gut told her this woman was looking at Tristan.
Sure enough, the next second, the woman ran over with her suitcase, throwing herself into Tristan's arms, even letting go of her suitcase, which flew away. She didn't care at all.
She hugged Tristan tight, her voice soft and sweet, "Tristan, I'm back. I'm sorry."
Tristan's distinct hand rested on Bella's waist, and she clung to him like he was her whole world.
This glaring embrace made Katniss's earlier good mood nosedive.
She took a deep breath, turned around to grab Bella's suitcase.
She weaved through the crowd, looking a bit frazzled.
When she came back with the suitcase, standing a few steps away from the still-hugging couple, Bella's head was buried in Tristan's chest, love and longing all over them.
Katniss watched silently, telling herself to stay cool.
But seeing Tristan, who'd been all over her that morning, holding another woman that evening, she still felt a pang of sadness.